Training Staff
Many of our staff started with us as Open Water Divers and stayed! Which is a great compliment to the way we operate. All our programs are overseen by a senior instructor with our own full time Course Director ensuring courses at all levels are consistently safe as well as being FUN!! The enthusiasm and ability of our staff means students enjoy a positive experience despite the
challenges of learning to dive in the UK. The people helping you to do this are…..
Martin Ainsworth, Director of Instructor Development, (Course Director)
I've been diving for over 20 years starting in the UK and then eventually doing my instructor in 1992. Since then I've been actively teaching in the UK and diving around the world in the Maldives, Australia, Bali, Borneo, Egypt, Canada and the Phillipines before reaching my goal of Course Director in 2003. I have set up dive centres in both the UK and Europe prior to developing and opening an inland dive site, the Blue Lagoon, which enables me to map my experience in all aspects of diving into my Instructor Development Courses. I am currently focused on running an active instructor development calendar across our two dive centres in addition to developing our own distinctive specialty courses and teaching instructor courses for
other centres in the UK, Malta, Turkey and Cape Verde. If you are interested in any aspect of instructor development from Divemaster onwards feel free to give me a call.
Sharon Ainsworth, Director of Diver Training, (Master Instructor)
As the training manager at Above & Below, I strive to keep a professional and organised atmosphere whilst mentoring our new and enthusiastic instructors to provide a fun and exciting one. Having a Masters Degree in Aquatic Ecology I am always focused on promoting the environmental awareness elements of our dive programs in addition to promoting and developing our academic programs for schools and universities. I am always around so anything you want to know just ask....
Instructors and Divemasters at Above & Below
The large team of Instructors and Divemasters we have at Above & Below are volunteers, teaching in their spare time, but all demonstrate high standards of professionalism with an enthusiasm for diving that is hard to beat. The people taking you diving are…
Paul Morrell (Mr B), Senior Training Manager (MSDT)
The rescue Guru!! Renowned for doing that little bit extra when it come to conducting a realistic Rescue Diver or Emergency First Response course Mr B gives it 200% commitment and 200% enjoyment. If he’s not teaching people how to look after themselves and others you will find him in the pool where he appears to be creating a whole army of Seals and Master Seals. The kids just love his bizarre underwater inventions!!
Jon Rudderforth (Rudders), Open Water Diver Course Manager (MSDT)
I am responsible for the smooth running of your PADI Open Water Course, and I have been informed my best attribute is my never ending patience. I am always approachable and aim to provide a safe and supportive introduction to your fist experience of SCUBA Diving here at Above & Below.
Mark Furniss (Ding Dong), Speciality Course Manager (MSDT)
Tasked with putting that special touch to a speciality course Mark is the lead instructor for our Master Scuba Diver challenge. So if you want to try something different or just to step up to the mark (no pun intended!) and become a Master Scuba Diver, Give him a call… |
